Saint-Blaise Church of Blodelsheim dans le Haut-Rhin

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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Blaise in Blodelsheim, located in the European Community of Alsace, finds its origins at the latest in the twelfth century, as evidenced by the Romanesque style of its old porch. The first written mention of a parish in Blodelsheim, however, appeared only in 1302, although it was not certain whether it was autonomous or shared with Fessenheim, whose church could have served as a common centre. It was only from 1441 that separate servicemen were attested for both villages, confirming an ecclesiastical separation.

In the 18th century, the church underwent important work: the choir was enlarged and the tower raised in 1731, although financial problems hindered its maintenance. During the Revolution, it was closed and transformed into a temple of Reason on November 4, 1794. In the 19th century, its delapidated state and the influx of pilgrims — attracted by the relics of Saint Anicet acquired by the parish priest Philippi — required an expensive expansion (30,000 francs). The works, carried out by architect Grivois and Dudly d'Ensisheim between 1840 and 1842, include demolition of adjacent houses and purchase of municipal land.

In 1852, a flood weakened the foundations of the bell tower, leading to its demolition in 1856. Reconstructed between 1860 and 1861 under the direction of architect Laubser, he had four new bells in 1864. World wars marked the building for a long time: three bells and organ pipes melted in 1914-1918, and their replacements suffered the same fate in 1943. Damaged during the fighting in 1945, the church lost its stained glass windows and bell tower, burned down in 1947. It was rebuilt in 1948, and the stained glass windows were only replaced in 1962.

From the original Romanesque church, there remains only one door walled in the north wall of the nave, decorated with a carved lintel evoking the Crucifixion, comparable to those of the churches of Dompeter or Sigolsheim. The present building, accessible by a tower-porch of 1860, includes an 18th century nave flanked by 19th century side chapels and a polygonal choir from the 1840s. The organ, built by Jean André Silbermann in 1779 and restored around 1860, has been classified as a historical monument since 1985.

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